Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Mu Jingshu, twenty-seven years old, the top scholar of the Qingzheng seventh year, a junior minister in the Ministry of Justice. He was blessed with good looks, often dressed in white, slim and elegant. He frequently appeared with Ke Hongxue, the flower of the capital, a rising star among the young talents of the city.

On the way to the pond, Rong Tang pondered deeply over Su Huaijing’s recent words.

Yue Rong's drowning was mysterious, and it was clear to them both. With Mu Jingshu's sharpness, he wouldn’t consider this incident a mere coincidence.

He was an uncontrollable variable in this situation.

As the junior minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Mu Jingxu's duty was to investigate unjust, false, or mistaken cases and enforce the law impartially.

It was highly irrational for him to remain indifferent when someone died under his watch, especially the nanny of his apprentice.

Unless, in Mu Jingxu's judgment, the ultimate beneficiary of this matter would be Sheng Chengli.

Only then might the junior minister act as if nothing had happened, allowing Sheng Chengxing’s arrangements to proceed without inquiry, keeping silent and enjoying the Flower Folding Festival.

However, knowing Mu Jingxu for two lifetimes, Rong Tang was clear that he was a person with strong principles and boundaries.

If Yue Rong's death was purely coincidental, Mu Jingxu might have firmly devised the most advantageous strategy for Sheng Chengli after weighing the pros and cons.

But what if it wasn’t a coincidence?

What if it was not only intentional but orchestrated by Sheng Chengli himself?

What would Mu Jingxu do then?

Su Huaijing might have casually shared a palace secret with Ke Hongxue. With Ke's intelligence, having a lead would enable him to trace back to the very origin of the matter.

What if he discovers that the little apprentice his elder brother so fondly taught and generously supported is not as virtuous as he seems?

Su Huaijing was right about something he said earlier.

To find the puppeteer behind any incident, one must look at who benefits the most.

On the surface, Yue Rong's death seems to ultimately serve as an opportunity for Minister Zhang to impeach General Xia, benefiting the faction of the Second Prince.

However, the initial reason Emperor Renshou appeased Sheng Chengxing was due to the excessive favors Sheng Chengming received recently, stirring up the camps behind several princes. Thus, he granted Sheng Chengxing an unusually generous reward.

This act was meant to appease the party of the Third Prince, but if the faction of the Second Prince were to criticize afterward, attempting to suppress Sheng Chengxing, what would Emperor Renshou think?

Would he feel that the Second Prince is overreaching? Would he suspect Minister Zhang of coveting the position of Crown Prince? Would he think that the current imperial in-laws have grown to a threatening extent?

Neither Sheng Chengming nor Sheng Chengxing would benefit in the long run; even if they temporarily prevail, the hidden dangers planted are what's truly frightening.

Only Sheng Chengli, without expending any effort, not only eliminates Yue Rong, who was already disloyal to him, but also manages to emerge unscathed from this incident, reaping the most benefits.

As a participant, Rong Tang failed to see Sheng Chengli's true nature in his two lifetimes. Only now, completely stepping out of the protagonist's supporting team, does he realize how wrong his perception of the protagonist was.

This misconception wasn’t just his alone but also included Mu Jingxu.

Ke Hongxue always said that Mu Jingxu cared most about his little apprentice. Rong Tang had no doubt that Sheng Chengli, by merely putting on an innocent and pitiful act in front of Mu Jingxu and distancing himself from the incident, would make Ke devise plans for him.

But what if Ke Hongxue tells his elder brother that there's something fishy about this incident and suggests a thorough investigation?

Mu Jingxu harbors a mistaken perception of Sheng Chengli, and likely, Ke Hongxue also holds misconceptions about himself.

But Su Huaijing doesn’t.

He completely detaches himself from the fray, observing from an outsider's perspective, and after discerning all the schemes and relationships, he sees everything more clearly than anyone else.

At one moment, Rong Tang even feels that Su Huaijing possesses a god-like perspective.

But this matter…

Does it bring any benefit to Su Huaijing himself?

His position benefits from the chaos in the struggle for succession. Even if Su Huaijing seems to be helping Sheng Chengming now, he would actually be pleased to see him suffer a setback.

The Second Prince has been too successful lately; he needs some setbacks.

If Mu Jingxu uncovers the reason behind this incident, and Sheng Chengxing and Sheng Chengming narrowly escape the scheme, what benefit does it really bring to Su Huaijing?

Perhaps noticing the evident doubt in Rong Tang's eyes, Su Huaijing curves his lips and gently asks, "What does Tangtang want to ask?"

Rong Tang: "Why are you doing this?"

Su Huaijing raises his eyebrows. Ahead is a pond crowded with people, where the waterwheel is turning. Sheng Chengxing looks gloomy but refrains from causing a scene in front of Ke Hongxue.

Ke, in a deep purple robe and holding a purple jade fan, is fanning Mu Jingxu who stands by the pond with a stern face. Ke, noticing Rong Tang and Su Huaijing, even waves his fan in interest.

Su Huaijing says, “Doesn’t Tangtang want to be friends with them?”

Rong Tang pauses for a moment, and Su Huaijing smiles, "Tangtang, if you want the moon in the sky, I would find a way to get it for you. Just make your requests to me."

Because Rong Tang wants to be friends with Ke and Mu, because Rong Tang dislikes Sheng Chengli, and because Mu Jingxu is Sheng Chengli’s strategist.

That’s why Su Huaijing has done all this.

A straightforward cause and effect, merely for Rong Tang’s preferences and aversions, he’s willing to take a more circuitous path.

Sunlight falls on them, the wind rises and falls around noon, amidst the noisy crowd, Rong Tang suddenly catches a whiff of the fragrance of gardenias.

He turned his head, suppressing the rapid beating of his heart, slightly parting his lips, and adjusting his breathing.

This is the arch-villain, but he also seems to be his confidant, friend, family, wife…

Rong Tang once again realized that taking Su Huaijing away from Fengyue Tower was such a fortunate event for both him and Su Huaijing.

In the torrent of time loops, a small current had diverged, boldly heading towards an entirely unknown destination.

-

Ke Hongxue, seeing Rong Tang and Su Huaijing, smiled and asked, “Young Master Rong, did you enjoy your morning?”

Rong Tang glanced at the pond, not too deep, but it would take some time to drain completely. Probably it couldn’t be done in one day. Most of the crowd gathered around were students looking for novelty, who would likely disperse gradually. Even if Mu Jingxu found something in the pond, probably not many would know about it.

Sheng Chengli still hadn't appeared, playing the role of an invalid to the hilt, showing remarkable patience even in such circumstances.

Rong Tang turned back, answering Ke Hongxue's question, “Quite good.”

Ke Hongxue grinned, “Where did you go? Did you visit the animal garden? There are sika deer and even two tigers, quite a sight. I wanted to go, but my elder brother preferred to work, so I had to accompany him for his official duties first.”

Rong Tang rolled his eyes at him, thinking that Ke’s ‘had to’ sounded not at all reluctant, even a bit like showing off.

Rong Tang asked, “What made Magistrate Mu think of draining the pond?”

Mu Jingshu, usually cold to everyone as if incapable of smiling, had a lot on his mind, creating an even colder aura around him. Yet, when Rong Tang asked him a question, he tried to respond as gently as possible, though it was unclear for whom.

He replied, “I examined Yue Rong's body this morning. Her death seemed peculiar.”

Ke Hongxue led the group to a nearby pavilion, where Mu Jingshu continued, “It appears she was poisoned.”

Master Ke's eyebrows slightly furrowed, a hint of sarcasm flickering in his eyes as he glanced at Su Huaijing. The latter remained composed, sitting aside and peeling fruits prepared in the pavilion for Rong Tang.

Ke Hongxue found the situation dull, clicked his tongue lightly, put down his fan, and simply started to peel seeds for Mu Jingshu.

As their voices blended softly like background noise, the speaker paid no heed to them. Mu Jingshu's brows slightly furrowed, “The doctor in the garden couldn’t determine the specific poison, only confirming the cause of death as drowning. The poison wasn’t lethal, suggesting it served another purpose.”

Rong Tang asked, “What does Magistrate Mu think?”

After a few moments of silence, Mu Jingshu said, “The distance from the Fifth Prince’s Lan Yu Pavilion to Lan Xin Residence is not far. If one wants to get there quickly, they can take a shortcut passing by this pond. Although less frequented, it’s unlikely someone would accidentally fall into the pond.”

Su Huaijing passed a segment of orange to Rong Tang, while Ke Hongxue handed a handful of seeds to Mu Jingshu.

Rong Tang leaned over to eat the orange from Su Huaijing's hand, while Mu Jingshu frowned and shook his head, declining. Ke Hongxue then found a clean dish to put the seeds in, continuing to peel. Su Huaijing, observing this scene, softly chuckled.

Rong Tang swallowed the orange segment and said, “In that case, I’m reminded of some hallucinogenic drugs.”

On hearing this, Ke Hongxue looked up at Rong Tang with sparkling eyes, quickly shifted his gaze to Su Huaijing, and then broke into a smile, his whole demeanor exuding an air of carefree indifference, contentedly continuing to peel his seeds.

Mu Jingxu nodded, “It seems I had the same idea as Young Master Rong.”

He said, “If one hallucinates, thinking there’s a ferocious beast behind them, or that there’s still a path ahead, it’s very likely they’ll step into emptiness and fall into the pond. If they don’t regain their senses in time while in the water, drowning is inevitable.”

Rong Tang asked, “Does Master Mu know of any drug that could have such an effect?”

"There are many," Mu Jingxu replied. "I'm not an expert in pharmacology, but I know there are countless hallucinogenic drugs. In the hands of a skilled physician, they can even create an entire dream out of thin air."

Rong Tang was about to frown but heard Mu Jingxu continue, "However, there is a certain herb that, if consumed in large quantities, can also induce hallucinations."

Rong Tang immediately recalled what Su Huaijing had just told him and asked, "Is it the Huanli Grass?"

Mu Jingxu seemed somewhat surprised, his eyebrows lifted briefly before returning to his usual impassive expression.

He nodded, "Exactly."

"This herb grows in the Northern Borders, and it's rare in Yu Jing. Moreover, its use is prohibited in the palace. If Yue Rong did indeed consume Huanli Grass, there would be residues," said Mu Jingxu.

Rong Tang asked, "But none was found?"

Mu Jingxu shook his head, "There were no spices in Yue Rong's room, but strangely, there was also no sachet on her body."

After a moment of thought, Rong Tang murmured, "If Yue Rong went from Langyu Pavilion to Lanxin Pavilion to pick herbs, then she must have liked using fragrances, it’s unlikely she wouldn’t have a sachet on her."

"Exactly," said Mu Jingxu. "But this is just speculation. What really made me suspicious is that I had seen Yue Rong before, and she used to wear a sachet at her waist."

"So Master Mu thinks her sachet might have fallen into the pond, or perhaps..." Rong Tang raised his eyes and looked steadily at Mu Jingxu, "was thrown into it?"

Mu Jingxu nodded, "Yesterday was hectic, Lady He was shocked, and after the body was retrieved, no one thoroughly inspected it. I asked the guards from yesterday, and no one remembered if there was a sachet. So, it seemed best to drain the pond."

Ke Hongxue chuckled lightly on the side, having already peeled a dish of melon seeds. He then smoothly peeled an orange and handed it to Mu Jingxu, "Elder brother, have a bite. It's almost noon, and I'm so hungry."

Rong Tang couldn't bear it and thought, 'If you’re hungry, eat yourself. How does feeding your elder brother help your hunger?'

Mu Jingxu's brow furrowed slightly, seemingly hesitant for a moment, but he still reached out to take the orange segment and put it in his mouth, chewing lightly before spitting the seeds into his hand.

Rong Tang kept his gaze downward, pretending not to notice.

People were still coming and going outside the pavilion. Su Huaijing glanced at the sky and asked gently, “Are you hungry, Rong Tang? Shall we go eat and then take a nap?”

He hadn’t felt it before, but upon hearing this, Rong Tang indeed felt a bit hungry and looked pitifully at Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing's eyes curved with a smile, excused themselves from Ke and Mu, and prepared to leave the pavilion. Just as they were about to step out, he seemed to remember something and reminded Rong Tang, “Don’t you have something to say to Master Mu?”

Rong Tang blinked, pausing for a moment before he regained his composure, his expression complex as he turned and attempted a backdoor request, “If a sachet is found in the pond, could Master Mu show it to me first?”

Mu Jingxu hesitated, not yet responding, when Ke Hongxue laughed and agreed, “Of course, Young Master Rong, there’s no need to worry.”

Rong Tang still looked at Mu Jingxu, who then nodded.

Rong Tang said, “Thank you.”

Before leaving, Rong Tang noticed Ke Hongxue once again presenting a small dish of melon seeds to Mu Jingxu. Mu Jingxu gave him a cold glance, then lowered his gaze and began to eat the seeds leisurely, while Ke Hongxue laughed until his eyes nearly disappeared.

-

Shuangfu had gone ahead with the gardenia, and Su Huaijing led Rong Tang to a nearby dining courtyard, finding a small table for two. They had lunch leisurely and then walked back slowly.

Rong Tang asked him, “How did you know I had something to say to Magistrate Mu?”

Su Huaijing replied, “Tang Tang, you reminded me earlier.”

Rong Tang: “?”

Su Huaijing, with deep eyes and a smile, looked at him, “Tang Tang, sometimes you’re so clever that it makes me want to keep you locked away.”

Rong Tang shivered inwardly, but before he could ponder further, he heard Su Huaijing say, “As soon as you entered that courtyard, the first thing you asked me was whether this matter was related to your aunt.”

“The death of the eldest imperial son is recorded by historians as due to frail health, but palace rumors suggest the Noble Consort’s involvement. I suspect it's more likely the doing of the mothers of the other three princes,” said Su Huaijing, “But in fact, we all overlooked someone.”

“...The Empress,” Rong Tang replied softly.

Su Huaijing nodded, “The eldest imperial son seemed to have been sickly from birth, and his early demise was almost inevitable. Analyzing the benefits and drawbacks, the mastermind seems more like Noble Consort Hui and others. However, at that time, Emperor Renshou had just ascended the throne, Marshal Xia was prominent for his dragon’s merit, Noble Consort Hui was domineering in the harem, and the Noble Consort was favored, both with sons. The Empress’s position was actually not secure.”

“Since her only son was destined to die, it made sense to use his death to eliminate a rival and regain the emperor’s guilt and affection. The Empress doesn’t necessarily have to be the emperor’s favorite, but as long as she’s special enough to be irreplaceable in his heart, she can securely hold the phoenix seal and maintain her position as Empress. As for children, she can conceive again or easily adopt a son from a lower-ranked consort in the palace. She’s the legitimate mother of all princes and needn’t worry about that.”

Su Huaijing spoke in a light and casual tone.

Rong Tang lowered his head, muttering, “My aunt is not that kind of person.”

Su Huaijing chuckled lightly, holding Rong Tang's hand, “I know. It’s just that someone needs her to be that person.”

“…” For the first time, Rong Tang openly expressed his dislike for Sheng Chengli in front of Su Huaijing, “He’s really detestable.”

“Yes, I know,” Su Huaijing agreed, his voice gentle, his gaze falling on Rong Tang’s side profile, his eyes filled with indulgent affection, “That’s why I won’t let him succeed.”

Because the legitimate imperial son was harmed by a consort favored by Emperor Renshou, the emperor always treated Empress Wang with extra respect and courtesy. In the novel, with Sheng Chengli as the male lead, Empress Wang naturally became one of the minor antagonists.

The book mentioned that when the male lead was a child, he was mistreated in the Cold Palace, and the eunuchs said it was by the Empress's command.

"Her son was harmed by the Noble Consort, and she mistreated the Noble Consort's son. It seems like a natural response, not killing him was already merciful."

"The Empress disliked the Fifth Prince. Even if he left the Cold Palace, his life within the palace wouldn't be pleasant."

"He doesn’t necessarily need to immediately find out who framed his mother. He just needs to destroy the image of Empress Wang benefiting from this incident."

"If Emperor Renshou discovers that the death of his eldest son was unrelated to the Noble Consort, he would immediately show favor to Sheng Chengli. But if he finds out that his legitimate son was actually killed by his own wife, the Emperor’s wrath might extend to the entire family of Empress Wang."

"And all Sheng Chengli needs to do is tamper with Yue Rong's sachet, leaving a mark of the Phoenix Perch Palace."

"It's clearly a strategy that kills four birds with one stone: quashing the third prince's arrogance, arousing the Emperor’s suspicion towards the second prince, seeking royal favor for himself, and framing Empress Wang."

"Whether Sheng Chengxing decides to investigate or not, for Sheng Chengli, it’s a situation with all benefits and no drawbacks."

"If the sachet falls into the pond, even he himself might feel unsatisfied."

Frowning, Rong Tang walked back to the small courtyard with Su Huaijing. The AI system, silent since their embrace in the Peacock Garden, made Rong Tang a bit angry. After entering the room, he couldn’t hold back and called it out, “Was I blind in my past two lives?”

【……】

Rong Tang: “How could I not have seen this?”

System: [......]

Rong Tang was super angry: “He’s really awful!”

The system was silent for a long time before saying softly, [Host, I’m sorry.]

Rong Tang’s anger inexplicably dissipated, standing still for a long time, he muttered, “It’s not your fault.”

[It was I who assigned you the mission.] The system said.

Rong Tang: “The stupid mission given by your idiotic main brain has nothing to do with you.”

[...Oh.]

The system seemed extremely dejected, making Rong Tang regret his outburst. Almost subconsciously, he entered the system space, saw the grey-black expanse, then left, raising his hand and hesitating for two seconds before saying, “Come here, let me touch you.”

Rong Tang remembered that small orb of light. Although he couldn’t feel it, whenever he saw it beside him in the system space, he couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke it, like petting a cat or a dog. The system never said it, but actually enjoyed being close to him.

As soon as Rong Tang finished speaking, there was a momentary stillness in the air. He moved his hand aimlessly, his voice very soft, somewhat resembling how Su Huaijing would coax him.

“It’s okay, it’s not your fault.”

The system didn’t say whether it came closer, but upon hearing these words, it responded: [Then it’s not your fault either.] It sounded stubborn like a child, yet very endearing.

Rong Tang was slightly startled, then smiled, moving his hand again: “Yeah, it’s not our fault.”

Rong Tang said, “But I'm starting to dislike him more and more. I just wanted to see Su Huaijing ascend the throne, but now I want to see how he loses. You won't blame me, right?”

The system was silent for a very long time, so long that Rong Tang thought it wouldn’t answer. He took off his clothes and got into bed to sleep, then heard a faint mechanical sound: [I wouldn’t blame you, I wouldn’t blame you for anything.]

Unless you foolishly give everything to the main antagonist and still praise him!

But the system didn’t say this out loud. It just moved around in that three-dimensional space, compliantly snuggled into Rong Tang’s bed, curling up beside his hand, and fell into a peaceful slumber.

Rong Tang chuckled softly, “Okay.”